Rail passengers reminded to plan ahead for London’s big sporting Sunday

Trains and stations will be much busier than usual on Sunday, with spectators travelling to and from the London Marathon and the FA Cup semi-final, so passengers are warned to allow plenty of time for their journeys.

The train companies have been working closely with Brighton & Hove Albion FC, who are helping promote the message to fans.

As previously advertised on web sites and journey planners, there will be changes to services in Sussex, Surrey, south and central London.

On Sunday, buses will replace trains along the West Sussex coast between Littlehampton and Brighton to allow Network Rail to carry out long-planned essential maintenance to track and switches and crossings, the moveable rails that allow trains to switch lines.

Some lines between Purley and Balcombe will be closed, meaning slightly longer journey times on the Brighton Main Line, as Network Rail’s tamping machines will be operating. Tampers pack the stones under the rails and sleepers to ensure the track is level and trains run at full line speed.

On Saturday and Sunday, buses will replace trains between Streatham Hill and Crystal Palace / West Croydon as work to install a new signalling system continues in South London.

Also on Saturday and Sunday, no Thameslink trains will run between London Bridge and St Pancras International or Finsbury Park. Thameslink services from Brighton, Horsham and Rainham will run to amended timetables and terminate at London Bridge. Services from Bedford and Luton will terminate at St Pancras; Thameslink services from Peterborough and Cambridge will be diverted to King’s Cross. Passengers can use Tube and bus services to cross central London. This will allow Network Rail to replace 270m of worn rail in the Snow Hill tunnel, which carries Thameslink trains under Smithfield Market. Repairs, maintenance and inspections will take place across all closed lines.

Buses will also replace trains between Hastings and Ashford International, although services between Ore and London Victoria will still run. Network Rail will be replacing rails, sleepers and ballast near Winchelsea.

Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail's Sussex route director, said: “We plan maintenance closures years in advance and we’re sorry that some passengers making their way to the football or to the marathon will have slightly longer journeys this weekend.

“Please be assured that the majority of routes into and out of London are running as normal.

“The railway needs regular maintenance to keep it running and the bumper package of essential repairs and improvements we have this week will keep passengers moving safely and reliably.”

Jenny Saunders, customer services director for Southern and Thameslink, said: “We thank passengers for their patience while Network Rail carry out this essential work. We’ll still have trains running between Brighton and London, and along our East Coastway route as far as Ore. However, buses will replace services between Brighton and Littlehampton, and between Hastings and Ashford.

“Trains and replacement buses will be very busy on Sunday and there could be queues, so please allow plenty of extra time when planning your journey.”

Ends

Editors’ notes

Key service alterations on Saturday and Sunday 23 April
Southern services

From 11:00pm Saturday 22 to 11.00pm Sunday:

Engineering work is taking place between Brighton / Preston Park and Littlehampton, closing all lines.

• Buses replace trains between Brighton / Shoreham-by-Sea and Worthing / Littlehampton.
• Tickets will also be accepted on Brighton & Hove bus route 2 between Brighton and Shoreham-
• Trains will run to a revised timetable, and direct trains between London Victoria and Reigate will not run.
• If you are travelling between London and Reigate please change at Redhill.

Engineering work is taking place between Purley and Balcombe, closing some lines.

From 11:00pm Friday 21 to 11.00pm Sunday 22:

Engineering work is taking place between Streatham Hill and Norwood Junction / Crystal Palace / Beckenham Junction, closing some lines.

Saturday:

Buses replace trains between Streatham Hill and West Croydon (until approximately 20:00); Streatham Hill and Crystal Palace (after approximately 20:00)

Sunday:

Buses replace trains between Balham and Crystal Palace.

Tickets will also be accepted on Tramlink between East Croydon and Beckenham Junction and London Bus Route 322 between Herne Hill, Gipsy Hill and Crystal Palace.

Thameslink services

From 11:00pm Friday 21 to 11.00pm Sunday 22:

Engineering work is taking place between London St Pancras International and London Blackfriars, closing all lines.

No Thameslink trains will run through central London between London St Pancras International or Finsbury Park and London Blackfriars / London Bridge. You can use London Underground / Bus services to travel across central London.

Trains will run to an amended timetable between:

• London St Pancras and Bedford / Luton. Trains will not call at Kentish Town - please use alternative Northern line services.
• London Bridge and Three Bridges / Horsham / Brighton / Rainham.
• London Victoria and Sevenoaks.

Thameslink Peterborough and Cambridge services will be diverted into/out of King’s Cross.

No trains will operate between London Blackfriars and Sutton. Please use alternative local London buses, Tramlink, Northern line or Southern Railway services.

Check before you travel:

You can plan your journey using the National Rail Enquiries Journey Planner